Key Elements of Sacred Space
How do we define Sacred space? Is it a church, temple or mosque? Can it be in nature? Does it have to be consecrated ground? Is it specific to any religion or can there be overlap? Why does this all matter?
There is no one way to define sacred space and that is why there are so many different conceptions and connotations around the topic. Sacred Space can be an entire building, city, room or within nature. It can also be on a singular flat surface for a single candle to burn, and the ability to instill sacredness lies firmly within you. This same concept exists for an altar. An altar can be an open air room within a place or worship to a small table in your home -- or how I use mine… as the top of my dresser in my bedroom. I am the type of spiritual person/ practitioner/ priestess who proudly and loudly proclaims my ability to create sacred space and hold it there for my uses. It is a healing, pure-intentioned bubble for you to access some of the more wounded aspects yourself and to cast powerful spells. These spells can be both within a witchcraft lens but also highly potent self-love medicine for your soul. Not everything needs to be a “spell” to be considered magic. Sacred Space and An Altar are a way to anchor in the infinite possibilities to a specific purpose, time and place.
Calling sacred space can be as complex or as simple or as free flowing as you would like it to be. Your practice for either witchcraft or self healing or magic is completely and intimately personal. Some of what I recommend include:
Setting the mood: If it’s an altar or sacred space, set the mood! Light candles or incense, sage the room of intentions… put away your laundry. Make the space feel lighter and ready to hold the magic you will create
Calling Attention: As a priestess, when I am getting ready to do ritual work I ask for the presence and guidance of my Goddess. A witch (who doesn’t practice divinity work) may call upon the stars, mother earth, the elements to hold her. As someone practicing and deepening their connection to self-love I would recommend saying aloud “I am here to further love myself. I am here to love all my expressions and all my quirks and flaws and beauty. I am here to support and care for myself.” Saying this aloud instead of quietly in your mind is all about energetic confidence. When you boldly go forth and say out loud for others and the universe to hear, you are also saying it to yourself. You are calling the space and yourself to attention. Passing thoughts, to-do lists, and dishes in the sink aren’t welcome in this particular space and will be there once you’ve exited.
Vocalizing Your Intentions and Fears: Depending on the practice, this can be a casual step or a deeply important step. With anything involving sexual magic, pleasure, or creating a deeper understanding between conscious and subconscious mind I believe it is the most pivotal first step. Like calling the space to attention, you are drawing out your deepest held dreams and nightmares to see the light of your heart. Nothing is impossible or taboo, it’s all an expression of our conditioning and personal life history. By welcoming those hidden parts from us, we are feeding the sacredness of the space and altar. It’s not common practice to tell your barista about your fear of not being good enough on a Tuesday morning. This sets apart other interactions you have - with friends, family, strangers and yourself.
Ending: Once your ritual, time of inner exploration, or even meditation has come to an end it’s important to thank the space for holding you. You’ve poured energy into this space, it's held you while you did some work and to preserve the blessing you’ve cultivated I recommend thanking it. I say thank you out loud after my inner journeys before tending to myself. It’s a way of releasing the emotional task of maintaining focus on my goal with the utmost gratitude and an invitation for “life” to gently come back in.
The way you hold and create an altar or sacred space is completely unique to you: your personality, your style, your practice and your goals. My own experience within sacred space is shaped by my interactions with it and the legacy/methodology from my teachers.
